Friday 1 October 2010

It's long, but 'Chat 's worth' it!!!

Well my friends,
you know how it is...

...you're going along just fine,
wake up,
get ready,
go to work,
come home,
go to bed.

Wake up,
get ready,
go to work,
come home,
go to bed!

Then before you know it...
a week has passed,
then a week,
a month,
then low and behold...
a whole year!!!

On Sunday I will
become a whole year older
and I
NO LIKEY!!!

What I don't mind is having
lovely friends who make a
special effort to
make birthdays EXTRA special and
go out of their way...

...like 2 and a half hours drive
out of their way,
to meet you at

Chatsworth House




 For a lovely day out together.

My very dear friend Emma from


suggested we went out for the day.
So we arranged to meet at Chatsworth.

The sun was shining and there were very few clouds in the sky.

Boys dropped at school,
puppy at Grandma and Grandad's for the day,
and I set off for a little adventure with my
lovely pal.

We arrived a little too early to view the
house and the grounds,
but the shops were open for us to view goodies!


How I didn't end up pennyless I don't know!
(i'm already pennyless, what am I on about?!)



Anyhow, enough of the lovely goods
and in to the house.


Apparently we arrived on a special day,
that room hasn't had the curtains open for over 10 years!
Humph...lazy lot!


I don't fancy doing the washing up,
but loved the coloured glass and
silver candleabras together.

Now with me being an avid chicken keeper and this year,
a breeder for the for the first time.
(well actually, they do much of it themselves!)
I had heard that the Duchess Devonshire
likes her chooks too!
Infact, she breeds Cochins...the same breed that
we hatched in the spring of this year.

So I was pleased to see that she displayed some of the
prizes for her hardwork and, in the unusual style of the house,
things were displayed in, well, not the usual fashion for such places.


You would find the most odd and unusual things
dotted about in amongst the antiques of this house.
Quite eclectic and eccentric.

Off into the beautiful gardens on this gorgeous
Autumn day,
and we spy a couple of those famous
henny-pennys sunbathing,



Fabulous views.
Gardeners, all those many years ago
really had vision and a good eye for what will be
great when everything matures.
I'm so glad they did.


Not sure about all the modern sculptures dotted
about the place though...
I have a very unusual phobia
of statues and large paintings...
Emma must have given off the right vibes yesterday
as it didn't bother me.
Good job eh?

This chap was huge, his eyes
looked like they were about to open any minute.


We agreed that the grounds would be great for the kids!
Lots of little secret places to discover,
with unusual ways of getting to them.




...and, if you're very quiet,
and look about carefully,
you may find a fairy ring.

I think our giggling and non stop chattering
scared them all away.


I wish you all were able to come,
seeing as you are all so very special...

ALL 100 of you!!!
Yes I have made it to the 100 club.

Thanks everyone!

I feel a giveaway coming on...!

Love Claire.

P.S.
Thank you to
my sweet little friend,
Emma.
x

11 comments:

bellaboo said...

A Very Happy,Happy Birthday for Sunday! That head in the water was a bit creepy wasn't it?

Woofs and licks from Bella to Basil.

Em said...

Happy Birthday Dear Claire, Happy Birthday Dear Claire, Happy Bithday Dear Claire, Happy birthday to you..x

Unknown said...

looks like you had a lovely day out what a great place to visit. I love the photo of the head and its re flection in the water was a great shot. Happy birthday for sunday have a great day. Friends are just simply the best. Dee ;-))

Shabby Chick said...

Nothing more precious than good friends is there? A huge happy birthday for Sunday, hope it's a good one!

Did your class like Revolting Rhymes? We got it at a car boot in August for 50p and my 5 year old lurves it!

Mel xxx

Beki said...

I'm sure I can see a fairy amongst the toadstools, I guess you have to believe to see ;)
Looks like a beautiful place hun, wish I could of come!

B xxx

vintage mum said...

I saw that fairy as well :)

Have a very Happy Birthday
Cate x

A Treasured Past said...

Hi Claire, wishing you a wonderful birthday on Sunday! Hope you have another lovely day, Tamara

Taz said...

I'm so glad you both had a great time, I just wish I could have come with you xxx

Elderberry-Rob said...

Have a lovely birthday on Sunday, it will be my sons 16th. Chatsworth looks really beautiful, maybe I will go next year. xxx

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

I have only ever got as far as the front door of Chatsworth.. so to be allowed in was a treat for me too..

Happy Birthday for today.. hope it is a very enjoyable and indulgent affair!

Michele x

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

Looks like a lovely day out!

Victoria xx